Our Expert: Dr. Laurie Hess

Commonly kept as house pets, green iguanas are large, tree-climbing lizards native to the Caribbean and Central and South America. They also are found in the wild as feral populations in Florida,…View Full Post ›

Chinchillas are charming, small rodents originating from South America, where they are now nearly extinct from being hunted for their thick coats. They are adapted to live at high elevations, where…View Full Post ›

As an exotic veterinarian, I am frequently asked about what reptiles make good starter pets for families and individuals. One that I always like to recommend is the leopard gecko. While there are…View Full Post ›

With nearly 50 breeds recognized by the American Rabbit
Breeders Association, rabbits come in all sizes and colors, and make terrific
pets in the right circumstances. Although they do need exercise…View Full Post ›

Although many people don’t know what a skink is, they actually
make great reptile pets and have become increasingly popular in the past few
years. Perhaps the most popular pet
skink is the…View Full Post ›

Polly want a cracker? Many people get parrots as pets
because they are hoping to have a fun level of verbal interaction with these
unique and intelligent creatures. Peoples’
perception of avian…View Full Post ›

I often hear bird owners say that they never go away on
vacation because they can’t find anyone they trust to take care of their pets.
Yet there are many reputable bird sitters and boarding…View Full Post ›

You may have heard the expression, “He really gets my goat!”
But what do you get, when you get a
goat? People think about getting backyard goats for lots of reasons: for milk,
entertainment and…View Full Post ›

Turtles are very popular pets and can be terrific for people
who want a fascinating animal to look at and appreciate — but maybe not
necessarily to cuddle with. Turtles can be great for families…View Full Post ›

Spring is coming and with the warm breezes, fresh air and
sunshine comes spring cleaning. Our homes, our cars, our garages — we clean
them out to start the new season right. Many pet owners forget…View Full Post ›

Easter is a happy holiday to
celebrate with your family. It’s also the time baby chicks, ducklings and
bunnies are born. These animals are precious to look at and adorable to hold,
and many people…View Full Post ›

When people hear about commonly kept small mammal pets such
as rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hedgehogs, ferrets, rats, hamsters and gerbils,
they don’t usually think of them being at high risk…View Full Post ›